Theology (BA)
Loyola University Chicago offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology.
Related Programs
Curriculum
Students may pursue one of three tracks in the theology major - the standard major, an honors track, and an interdisciplinary studies track. The honors track is a more rigorous version of the standard major and is intended for students seeking to pursue graduate studies in the field of theology or who plan to teach theology in a Jesuit high school. The interdisciplinary studies track is intended for two cohorts of students - students seeking to integrate knowledge from another discipline into their studies in theology; students seeking to bring knowledge from theology into their studies in another discipline (many of whom will be students who wish to double major in theology and another discipline).
Requirements
The Standard theology major requires 36 hours of coursework - seven (7) required courses and five (5) electives.
For the Standard Major, at least five (5) of the 12 courses required for the major must be at the 300-level or higher. For the Honors Track and Interdisciplinary Track, At least seven (7) of the 12 courses required for the major must be at the 300-level or higher.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Doctrine Course 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
| Sacraments and the Christian Imagination | ||
| Church & Global Cultures | ||
| Jesus Christ | ||
| Bible, Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | ||
| Wisdom Literature and Psalms | ||
| Pentateuch | ||
| Israel Conquest to Exile | ||
| Bible, New Testament Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| New Testament | ||
| The Meaning of Jesus Christ | ||
| Gospels of Matthew, Mark & Luke | ||
| Christian Thought Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval | ||
| Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern | ||
| Non-Christian Religious Tradition Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Religious Studies | ||
| Judaism | ||
| Hinduism | ||
| Islam | ||
| Buddhism | ||
| Religions of Asia | ||
| Topics in Islam | ||
| Topics in Buddhism | ||
| Religious Traditions | ||
| Topics in Judaism | ||
| Women, Gender and Embodiment in Islam | ||
| Contemporary Islamic Thought and Movements | ||
| Ethics Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Christian Ethics | ||
| Global Religious Ethics | ||
| Social Justice and Injustice | ||
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
| Christian Marriage | ||
| Foundations of Christian Morality | ||
| Perspectives on Life and Death | ||
| Contemporary Christian Sexuality | ||
| Theology and Ecology | ||
| Theology Capstone | 3 | |
| For the Standard Major: 2 | ||
| Theology Capstone | ||
or THEO 280 | Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies | |
| For the Honors Track: 3 | ||
| Theology Capstone | ||
| For the Interdisciplinary Studies Track: 4 | ||
| Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Elective Credits | 15 | |
Select five elective courses 5 | ||
Any THEO 200-level or higher course | ||
| All Things Ignatian: Living and Learning in the Jesuit Trad | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Eligible students may substitute HONR 101 Western Traditions - Antiquity to the Middle Ages/HONR D101 Developments Western Thought I Discussion for Doctrine requirement.
- 2
With prior approval from the undergraduate program director, students may replace THEO 373 Theology Capstone or THEO 280 Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies (Engaged Learning) with THEO 353 Religious Traditions. THEO 280 Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies must be taken as an Engaged Learning Course.
- 3
With prior approval from the undergraduate program director, students may replace THEO 373 Theology Capstone with THEO 353 Religious Traditions.
- 4
THEO 280 Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies must be taken as an Engaged Learning Course.
- 5
With prior approval from the undergraduate program director, up to two 200 level or above elective courses may be taken outside the Department of Theology. Courses used for other Theology major requirements cannot be used as electives.
Elective Courses
Listing of 200-Level and 300-Level THEO Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEO 203 | Social Justice and Injustice | 3 |
| THEO 204 | Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | 3 |
| THEO 231 | Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | 3 |
| THEO 232 | New Testament | 3 |
| THEO 265 | Sacraments and the Christian Imagination | 3 |
| THEO 266 | Church & Global Cultures | 3 |
| THEO 267 | Jesus Christ | 3 |
| THEO 272 | Judaism | 3 |
| THEO 276 | Black World Religion | 3 |
| THEO 278 | Religion & Gender | 3 |
| THEO 279 | Roman Catholicism | 3 |
| THEO 280 | Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| THEO 281 | Christianity Through Time | 3 |
| THEO 282 | Hinduism | 3 |
| THEO 293 | Christian Marriage | 3 |
| THEO 295 | Islam | 3 |
| THEO 297 | Buddhism | 3 |
| THEO 299 | Religions of Asia | 3 |
| THEO 302 | Wisdom Literature and Psalms | 3 |
| THEO 303 | Pentateuch | 3 |
| THEO 304 | Israel Conquest to Exile | 3 |
| THEO 308 | Biblical Hebrew I | 3 |
| THEO 309 | Biblical Hebrew II | 3 |
| THEO 311 | The Meaning of Jesus Christ | 3 |
| THEO 313 | Gospels of Matthew, Mark & Luke | 3 |
| THEO 317 | Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval | 3 |
| THEO 318 | Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern | 3 |
| THEO 330 | Liberation Theology | 3 |
| THEO 331 | Theology of Secularization | 3 |
| THEO 340 | Foundations of Christian Morality | 3 |
| THEO 342 | Perspectives on Life and Death | 3 |
| THEO 343 | Contemporary Christian Sexuality | 3 |
| THEO 344 | Theology and Ecology | 3 |
| THEO 348 | Supervised Ministry | 3 |
| THEO 349 | Theological Topics for the Bioethics Capstone | 3 |
| THEO 350 | Topics in Islam | 3 |
| THEO 352 | Topics in Buddhism | 3 |
| THEO 353 | Religious Traditions | 3 |
| THEO 356 | Topics in Judaism | 3 |
| THEO 365 | Women, Gender and Embodiment in Islam | 3 |
| THEO 366 | Contemporary Islamic Thought and Movements | 3 |
| THEO 373 | Theology Capstone | 3 |
| THEO 376 | Language and Faith | 3 |
| THEO 378 | Theology and Culture | 3 |
| THEO 382 | Readings-Liturgy | 3 |
| THEO 383 | Theology Arts & Literature | 1-3 |
| THEO 392 | Readings in Theology | 3 |
| THEO 393 | Seminar | 3 |
| THEO 395 | Theology Tutorial | 3 |
Additional Requirements for the Honors Track
Students may apply for the Honors track after the completion of Theology Core.
At least a 3.5 GPA in the major and in overall coursework is required.
Both Christian Thought 317 and 318 are required.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The Standard Major
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for the major. Students should consult the undergraduate program director for assistance with course selection.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Doctrine Course (THEO 100) | 3 | |
| Ethics Course (THEO 185) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions Course | 3 | |
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament or New Testament Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| New Testament or Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Course | 3 | |
| THEO 200-Level or higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 200-Level or higher Course | 3 | |
| THEO 300-Level or higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Christian Thought Course | 3 | |
| Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval or Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern |
||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 373 or THEO 280 |
Theology Capstone or Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Honors Track
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for the major. Students should consult the undergraduate program director for assistance with course selection.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Doctrine Course | ||
| THEO 100 | Christian Theology | 3 |
| Ethics Course | ||
| THEO 185 | Christian Ethics | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions Course | 3 | |
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament or New Testament Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| New Testament or Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Course | 3 | |
| THEO 300 Level or Higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Course | 3 | |
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Christian Thought Course | 3 | |
| THEO 317 or THEO 318 |
Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval or Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern |
3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Christian Thought Course | ||
| THEO 317 or THEO 318 |
Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval or Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Course 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theology Capstone | ||
| THEO 373 | Theology Capstone | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Interdisciplinary Studies Track
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for the major. Students should consult the undergraduate program director for assistance with course selection.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Doctrine Course | ||
| THEO 100 | Christian Theology | 3 |
| Ethics Course | ||
| THEO 185 | Christian Ethics | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions Course | 3 | |
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament or New Testament Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| New Testament or Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Course | 3 | |
| THEO 300 Level or Higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies Course | 3 | |
| Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Christian Thought Course | 3 | |
| Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval or Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern |
||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| 300-Level or Higher Course Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| 300-Level or Higher Course Outside of Major | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Transfer-Student Residency Requirement
At least 18 credit hours of THEO-BA requirements must be completed at Loyola
Double-Dipping Policy
This department observes the CAS Double-Dipping Policy regarding unique credits required for each declared major/minor.
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing the major should be able to:
- Accurately describe basic sources and historical development of beliefs and practices of Christianity, with a particular focus on the Roman Catholic tradition. [Standard Theology Major and Honors Track]
- Analyze a biblical text using academic tools. [Standard Theology Major and Honors Track]
- Compare at least two different approaches to basic theological concepts. [Standard Theology Major and Honors Track]
- Describe beliefs and practices of one religion other than Christianity. [Standard Theology Major and Honors Track]
- Name the four sources of Christian ethics: Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. [Standard Theology Major and Honors Track]
- Analyze and critically evaluate arguments from at least two different Christian ethicists on a contemporary ethical issue. [Standard Theology Major and Honors Track]
- Demonstrate knowledge of the sources and historical development of beliefs and practices of Christianity with particular attention to the Roman Catholic tradition. [Interdisciplinary Studies Track]
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of at least one other religious tradition outside of Christianity. [Interdisciplinary Studies Track]
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of one other discipline outside of theology. [Interdisciplinary Studies Track]
- Demonstrate familiarity with a key theological concept or doctrine of the Christian faith (e.g., Christology, trinity, theological anthropology, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, etc.) and explain how knowledge from a different discipline has affected the understanding and formulation of that doctrine. [Interdisciplinary Studies Track]
- Demonstrate an understanding of how Christian perspectives and sources inform responses to pressing ethical questions and how knowledge gained from a different discipline is integrated into the analysis of the pressing question and the response. [Interdisciplinary Studies Track]
- Complete a research project or internship experience which undertakes the tasks listed in either learning outcome #4 or #5. [Interdisciplinary Studies Track]